RNC and Florida GOP Move to Defend Florida’s Proof‑of‑Citizenship Voting Law
The parties filed a court motion to join lawsuits challenging H.B. 991, signaling a national push to uphold voter‑eligibility rules that could shape higher‑court precedent.
Overview
- The Republican National Committee and the Republican Party of Florida filed a motion to intervene in federal litigation over Florida’s SAVE Act requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote.
- A 64‑page motion was submitted on behalf of the parties by Consovoy McCarthy and Continental with Coral Gables attorney Jesus Suarez signing the filing in federal court.
- Voting‑rights groups including UnidosUS and the Florida NAACP originally sued to block H.B. 991, saying the law creates unnecessary barriers that disproportionately affect women, communities of color, and working‑class voters.
- RNC Chair Joe Gruters and Florida GOP Chair Evan Power say the intervention aims to protect voter rolls and election integrity, and the RNC framed the move as part of a broader national legal strategy defending similar laws.
- Tuesday’s filing updates the case’s posture and could affect parallel litigation, including an Arizona proof‑of‑citizenship fight headed for the U.S. Supreme Court, with potential impacts on access to registration and on how courts treat state voter‑eligibility rules.